Guigo II (–1188)

In this very short booklet (available free on line), the medieval monk Guido II discusses his prayer practice. This is probably the earliest written guide to the ancient practice of "lectio divina," a type of biblical reading and meditation. The method goes through four phases: lectio (reading), meditatio (meditation), oratio (prayer of petition), contemplatio (contemplation or rest in the word).
The text has copious quotations from the bible (in the Vulgate translation), and uses the metaphors of the divine spouse, and the perfume of savor.
If you are interested in Christian meditation, and wish to know more about the philosophy of lectio divina, you should read this brief book.… (mehr)